Dead City Radio is a South African audio, visual and event-based collective.The second in a series of free samplers showcasing a selection of hand-picked tracks from the music they actively support and enjoy.You can also keep up with them online over here:facebook.com/WeAreDCR

Kilian Martin is back again with a breathtaking new video part in India. This is a beautifully shot film exploring india by wheels and will really make you want to leave the office early today to go skating!

Last weekend at Salesians was the Tech Sessions competition in partnership with Woodies Ramps, Red Bull, Revolution, Almost and Globe. There were 60 skateboarders of all ages that competed in the divisions as well as a good support crowd that came along to watch the comp.
Jean Marc hosted the event and forced the skaters to really push themselves. The skaters were expected to do a 3 – 4 skate run using the ramps and obstacles in the course. Jamie from Woodies Ramps also did a great job at making some additions to the set up at the park. Well done to all the skaters that competed!

Thanks to Nebula for the write up and photos. Have a look at their site for more pictures over here.

RVCA ANP artists Paul Senyol and Wesley van Eeden have a new exhibition up at A Word of Art gallery in the Woodstock Industrial Centre in Cape Town. The show will be running until the 25th May which features 9 new works from both artists as well as a limited edition Shirt, Print and zine supported by RVCA. Inside the zine is a one on one interview between the artists who chat about the exhibition, skateboarding and their creative process. Here are both their interviews that are in the zine.

1. Name, place, and some things we should know about you?

My name is Wesley van Eeden and I live in Durban. I grew up wanting to be a professional skateboarder but because I could never afford a pro deck, I used to paint my own graphics on the boards I rode. This was my introduction to the art world and from then on discovered DIY ethics in Punk Rock and realized that anyone could become an artist if they wanted to.

2. When we were in Finland together, I noticed that you have quite a diligent work ethic and creative process, please give us a rundown of how you would go about creating new work for a show/client?

Before I studied Graphic Design, I think I lacked direction in my life; the only thing I really cared about was skateboarding. When eventually applying to go and study and not getting accepted at the University, I realized that I had to work a little harder. I spent a year going to a few private art lessons as my parents could not afford the foundation course at the University and then I had to reapply to the Design Program the following year. I was lucky enough to have been the last person to be accepted into the school, and this was only because someone above me decided to study Fashion Design! So from then I got an appreciation for what was given to me and cultivated a strong work ethic.

When creating work for a show I try and work on the name of the show and a short paragraph of what I’d like to achieve before I start drawing. Doing an exhibition is a lot harder than doing work for a client as there is no set deadline or a budget and or guidelines to follow, so it’s important for me to have a sense of where I want to go with the work. I then look at a colour palette that I’d like to use for the body of work, and this often is influenced by the type of mood I am wanting to convey. I am really influenced by found objects and using these as my canvas for my ideas. A lot of my work has an underlying theme of rebirth, forgiveness, loss, love and value. So after drawing a series of sketches, I then try and match a found object to the sketch.

3. Do you have a vision for the next 5 years of your career?

For the last two years I have managed to provide for my wife and our little boy, which makes me really happy. I am at the stage where I can divide my time between personal and commercial client work. I’d like to get to a stage where I am more reliant on my personal work than the commercial work that I do. Our residency in Finland was life changing and I’d like to do that again! Ideally I’d like to be able to not only do more shows around South Africa, but also in other countries as well. I like the idea of showing works in both weird and obscure places like Morocco as well as New York. That would be great I think.

4. What does transformative bring to your attention, and how have you interpreted the title for this 2
person show?

When coming up with the show title, I had originally suggested the title: Transformative Moments. I first heard this term in an interview with Ian Makaye of Fugazi. He was explaining how we do things in our lives without knowing the impact of it in years to come. This really made me think about how we often take for granted our everyday existence, and how each thing we do today is influencing how we live tomorrow, next week, next year and many years to come. For this exhibition, I have explored themes of contemplation of characters that are thinking of their past, present, and future. I have explored simplifying and isolating some elements, and even making some elements abstract as a metaphor for change within the individual.

5. Tell us something about Paul Senyol?

Paul Senyol is a hardworking guy. He is honest, caring and probably one of the best cooks in the world! If he ever invites you for a meal at his studio you should always say yes! He makes the best flat bread pizza in the world! I discovered his work before I met him and I loved it instantly. His work has a timeless quality about it that speaks honesty and truth – a reflection of who he is as a human being. I am always honoured to do shows with him.

Paul Senyol was born on 25 October 1980; I have been drawing since I was first given a pencil. Never really gave it much thought to become an artist full-time, until my mid-twenties. There was a definite day that I decided to become a painter, but even before that I was intrigued by process, building things, experimenting, making fires, beauty and adventure. In a way I explore those primarily through the medium of painting, or whatever else is at hand to execute an idea. I really enjoy making beautiful things.

2. Looking at your work that you did from a young age, I can see how you have evolved, yet I can still see your style in it. Is there any direct influence to your aesthetic and style that you have created for yourself?

Within my work, a lot of the time aesthetic drives me, how something looks and feels, shapes, colour, form, lines, and emotion are all very important to me. When I first started to recognise that I do actually like to draw and paint, my works were very much only line based, simple one-colour drawings. Then I discovered paint (without brushes), I could do more things now that I had color. Then came brushes, then I started to combine the pens, pencils and paints, and that is where I really started to enjoy myself, because each medium has a specific feel and texture, and so as I combine mediums and layers, I go on a bit of an adventure with colour and shape and form and line weight, etc. So in a way, as I am working on new paintings, I like to consider what I have learnt as a painter, but to still explore and push myself to create an artwork that was better than the previous one. I am constantly refining, and redefining my pre-process, process and final outcome of an artwork. I do also like to break out of my traditional process and do something a little different, usually from something small that I found attractive within a previous work. From spending time with you in Finland, you will remember that for the first month I didn’t even paint, I wanted to go into the studio and discover something fresh, so I spent a lot of time in the library, researching artists and Designers and people from the area, immersing myself in the culture, taking long bike rides and immersing myself in the landscape, discovering. Sometimes I would just trace and trace and trace, draw, draw, draw, and through that I started to discover new processes, approaches and avenues within my work. For that first month I worked almost exclusively with black acrylic paint, pencils, trace paper and white folio. Experimentation and exploration are key to my work.

3. What drives you to continue working at such a prolific rate? Do you have a manifesto or a message that you trying to get out?

I wouldn’t say that I have some manifesto or message that I am pushing, but I do know that I feel stale and stagnant if I am not pursuing something creative. Even if it means taking a break from painting for a week and exploring being creative on a surfboard, skateboard, bicycle, or going to see other art shows, or browsing the local Woodstock gang Graffiti scrawls. I am starting to realise that God put something in me that causes me to create and to be drawn to creativity and beautiful things, and I just can’t escape that. It is who I am in a way. Although it doesn’t define me, it is very much a natural part of who I am as a person. So it finds its way out of me in daily life in some way. Sometimes it’s just preparing a nice meal.. the flavours, colors, and presentation.

4. What does Transformative bring to your attention, and how have you interpreted the title for this 2 person show?

Our society and life is in a constant state of transformation, life itself is naturally transformative. In my approach to the exhibition, and the works, I took a closer look at the fabric of my everyday life, and more so to those around me. I looked at walls, people, streets, trash, trees, and birds and I looked around for interesting ways to convey this feeling of transformation in and around Woodstock. I tried to become an observer, but that can only take place for a short time until you start to become involved and a part of the transformation process. One day I picked up a small notebook, full of children’s drawings, notes and scrawls, most of the work references this small book at some point. Having a studio in Woodstock, and spending a lot of time there, I started to realise that a lot of what I am seeing and experiencing won’t really exist in the next 5 years. People will move out and onward, new people will come and stay. Lives will change. Kids will grow up. Also that there were many, many people who came before me, and will still come after me. It fascinates me to think that a few blocks from our studio is beach road, and that once upon a time you could walk a few minutes and dip your feet in the ocean. In a way I wish that was still true.
My favourite works for the show are ‘the butcher’, ‘the baker’ and ‘the candlestick maker’. In these works I try to convey the transience of local producers and craftsmen. All around Woodstock you see so much decay and poverty and people in really bad situations, but there are glimpses of hope and promise. I was inspired by the following text:

Those from among you
Shall build the old waste places;
You shall raise up the foundations of many generations;
And you shall be called the Repairer of the Breach,
The Restorer of Streets to Dwell In.

5. Tell us something about Wesley van Eeden?

Wesley van Eeden is a thoughtful and kind-hearted man, gentle and patient. A very creative individual. Taller than me. Married. A dad. A thinker. One of my favourite collaborators. A true friend who knows that love and sacrifice are the same thing.

Redbull recently featured Jean-Marc Johanness on their websitewhere he took his search for the best gap to a whole new level. See pictures below of him landing a gap 10 metres in the air with Cape Town’s Table Mountain as the backdrop.

This year at the 15th Annual TWS Awards, Steve Van Doren was Transworld’s Eric Stricker Memorial Award recipient, an award given to those who support and give back to skateboarding in a major way. Below is the video that was shown at the Awards.

Jean-Marc recently teamed up with Woodies ramps Jamie O’Brien and held a competition on the weekend. Check out the facebook page over here. Woodies Ramps is a Cape Town based skateboard ramp building company that have been building ramps for over 15 years. They build other stuff too, but they enjoy building ramps and skate obstacles the most..Check out some work in progress pictures of them working on their art.

During Olympic fever of the summer of 2012, Vans and the team ventured to Athens, Greece. There they explored the Olympic village for uncharted skate spots and a long abandoned catering building which offered some interesting spots for the skaters.

Check out Jean Marc’s brand spanking new website! http://jeanmarc.co.za/
If you missed out on the interview we did with him earlier this week you can check it out here.Mad props to Jean to getting this up online we wish you the best of luck in 2013!

Internationally acclaimed skateboard artist gives us a sneak peak into his art studio. He is known for taking reclaimed skateboards and creating beautiful works of art out of them. Inside his studio he shares with us posters, classic skateboard videos and other random memorabilia.

RVCA ANP artists Paul Senyol and Wesley van Eeden have a new exhibition up at A Word of Art gallery in the Woodstock Industrial Centre in Cape Town. The show will be running until the 25th May which features 9 new works from both artists as well as a limited edition Shirt, Print and zine supported by RVCA. Inside the zine is a one on one interview between the artists who chat about the exhibition, skateboarding and their creative process. Today we share Paul’s interview in the zine and we’ll feature Wesley’s next week.

1. Who is Paul Senyol and why are you an artist?

Paul Senyol was born on 25 October 1980; I have been drawing since I was first given a pencil. Never really gave it much thought to become an artist full-time, until my mid-twenties. There was a definite day that I decided to become a painter, but even before that I was intrigued by process, building things, experimenting, making fires, beauty and adventure. In a way I explore those primarily through the medium of painting, or whatever else is at hand to execute an idea. I really enjoy making beautiful things.

2. Looking at your work that you did from a young age, I can see how you have evolved, yet I can still see your style in it. Is there any direct influence to your aesthetic and style that you have created for yourself?

Within my work, a lot of the time aesthetic drives me, how something looks and feels, shapes, colour, form, lines, and emotion are all very important to me. When I first started to recognise that I do actually like to draw and paint, my works were very much only line based, simple one-colour drawings. Then I discovered paint (without brushes), I could do more things now that I had color. Then came brushes, then I started to combine the pens, pencils and paints, and that is where I really started to enjoy myself, because each medium has a specific feel and texture, and so as I combine mediums and layers, I go on a bit of an adventure with colour and shape and form and line weight, etc. So in a way, as I am working on new paintings, I like to consider what I have learnt as a painter, but to still explore and push myself to create an artwork that was better than the previous one. I am constantly refining, and redefining my pre-process, process and final outcome of an artwork. I do also like to break out of my traditional process and do something a little different, usually from something small that I found attractive within a previous work. From spending time with you in Finland, you will remember that for the first month I didn’t even paint, I wanted to go into the studio and discover something fresh, so I spent a lot of time in the library, researching artists and Designers and people from the area, immersing myself in the culture, taking long bike rides and immersing myself in the landscape, discovering. Sometimes I would just trace and trace and trace, draw, draw, draw, and through that I started to discover new processes, approaches and avenues within my work. For that first month I worked almost exclusively with black acrylic paint, pencils, trace paper and white folio. Experimentation and exploration are key to my work.

3. What drives you to continue working at such a prolific rate? Do you have a manifesto or a message that you trying to get out?

I wouldn’t say that I have some manifesto or message that I am pushing, but I do know that I feel stale and stagnant if I am not pursuing something creative. Even if it means taking a break from painting for a week and exploring being creative on a surfboard, skateboard, bicycle, or going to see other art shows, or browsing the local Woodstock gang Graffiti scrawls. I am starting to realise that God put something in me that causes me to create and to be drawn to creativity and beautiful things, and I just can’t escape that. It is who I am in a way. Although it doesn’t define me, it is very much a natural part of who I am as a person. So it finds its way out of me in daily life in some way. Sometimes it’s just preparing a nice meal.. the flavours, colors, and presentation.

4. What does Transformative bring to your attention, and how have you interpreted the title for this 2 person show?

Our society and life is in a constant state of transformation, life itself is naturally transformative. In my approach to the exhibition, and the works, I took a closer look at the fabric of my everyday life, and more so to those around me. I looked at walls, people, streets, trash, trees, and birds and I looked around for interesting ways to convey this feeling of transformation in and around Woodstock. I tried to become an observer, but that can only take place for a short time until you start to become involved and a part of the transformation process. One day I picked up a small notebook, full of children’s drawings, notes and scrawls, most of the work references this small book at some point. Having a studio in Woodstock, and spending a lot of time there, I started to realise that a lot of what I am seeing and experiencing won’t really exist in the next 5 years. People will move out and onward, new people will come and stay. Lives will change. Kids will grow up. Also that there were many, many people who came before me, and will still come after me. It fascinates me to think that a few blocks from our studio is beach road, and that once upon a time you could walk a few minutes and dip your feet in the ocean. In a way I wish that was still true.
My favourite works for the show are ‘the butcher’, ‘the baker’ and ‘the candlestick maker’. In these works I try to convey the transience of local producers and craftsmen. All around Woodstock you see so much decay and poverty and people in really bad situations, but there are glimpses of hope and promise. I was inspired by the following text:

Those from among you
Shall build the old waste places;
You shall raise up the foundations of many generations;
And you shall be called the Repairer of the Breach,
The Restorer of Streets to Dwell In.

5. Tell us something about Wesley van Eeden?

Wesley van Eeden is a thoughtful and kind-hearted man, gentle and patient. A very creative individual. Taller than me. Married. A dad. A thinker. One of my favourite collaborators. A true friend who knows that love and sacrifice are the same thing.

RVCA Los Angeles recently had a special event in store with 80’s Punk/Metal band Excel playing a reunion show for the first time in 15 years! The store windows were covered with artwork collaboration between Ric Clayton x Excel and RVCA. Check out the video and pictures below.

1. Skateboarding has obviously been your main focus. Do you have any other hobbies, passions or time wasters?

Well basically I skate everyday as much as I can and at night I make music. What some people might not know is that I am a guitarist in the band called “The Plague”, but it is more on the sideline or falls under a hobby. Check out the facebook page.

2. You are known for your technical skateboarding. Do you feel pressured into getting more tech? Or do you have a more natural progression?

Ummm…to be honest I kind of place pressure on myself or set my own standards because I want to keep progressing everyday or learn new tricks all the time, I don’t want to limit myself to a hand full of tricks when there is so many tricks out there to get in the bag. I changed the way I go about sessions sometimes, I still go and hunt for spots to skate/film with my friends but there are days I would dedicate to a single trick and lock it down. Once that’s done it goes to routine in every session.

3. What are your thoughts on publicity? I see you have been getting a lot of interviews on TV, radio, print media etc. Is it a bitch or bonus?

Ha ha yeah there’s been quite a few that been going down over the last year or so, but I am always stoked on it! It’s a good thing to know that some mainstream media are stoked on skateboarding.

4. I heard you are doing DAM AM again! Tell us a bit about the red lights, the coffee shops, the parties….or you can tell us about the comp?

Yes, I am competing again this year. Yeah man, Amsterdam is crazy, there are no rules and when I say rules I mean that literally anything goes. I did stumble upon the red light district but it was quite disturbing to be honest ha ha ha. When you grow up in place where that kinda thing is wrong you look at it differently I guess, but basically any story that you heard about Amsterdam that you though could not be true…its true. If the V&A waterfront in Cape Town was a city that had no rules and the sun only set at 11pm at night with countless clubs, bars and shop – that would be Amsterdam . I don’t know how many times me and my girlfriend nearly got run over by a bicycle over there. They don’t know nothing about a five point check ha ha.

The Contest itself was out of control though, I didn’t think in all my life I would be competing against riders like Youness Amrani. I managed to make the podium in best trick last year with a double bigspin flip down the big set, but Youness came straight after with a varial heel manual to back smith down the handrail and took 1st place. I really cant predict the level for this year, I’ve been training and working on runs in national comps since last year so God willing it brings good results in the near future.

5. Please give us an update on which brands you are on now. Because I believe it is quite impressive!

I am currently riding for, Red Bull, Volcom Clothing , Almost Skateboards, Globe shoes, Nixon watches, Vonzipper S.A, Revolution ,GoPro and Virgin Active. It is honestly such an honor and privilege to be riding for and representing such amazing brands and to be interacting with the greatest, most professional people in the field. They have helped me in my skating career in so many ways. From the starting line to where we are now, they have been there every step of the way. I can’t thank them enough for everything.

Come down to Salesians Skate Park in Cape Town on the 20th of April 2013 for the TECH SESSION contest. Check out the facebook event here.

Its the first of its kind and open to all skaters!

There will be a qualifying round and a final.

-Warm up and registration from 12:00 – 13:00
-Qualifying round : (depending on the amount of skaters)
two groups with one hour for each group to qualify.Riders take turns to get there line,if you dont make your line the first turn the next rider goes.The list of riders will go from top to bottom and repeat until the time is up.So you have more than one attempt to make a line.

-Top ten riders will qualify and move to finals.

-Finals : Jam session with Two riders at a time.

-Top 3 Podium.

What is it all about?

This is a “lines contest” format, there is a maximum of four obstacles
to throw down a line. All the tricks in your line has to be landed in order for it to count in your favour in the qualifiers and finals.

(For example- if there are four obstacles to throw down four tricks, and you do not make your last trick.The line will not count and you would have to start the line from the beginning.)

With one qualifying round and one final, put your tech tricks in solid lines and stand a chance to take home a cut of R6000!!!

Bring your friends and Crews down to Salesians Next week Saturday 20th of april for a awesome day of skating, Red Bull and all round good vibes.

1. Some know you as Mr DIY in the South African skate scene. You build spots, find spots and you make crafty stuff from old boards. Have you always been driven to do these things or do you just do it to be that cool guy that does DIY things?

I am a cool guy! come on! What do you mean, haha. Yeah I always been making stuff since I started skating and you can ask Craig Leak as that is where I met him first. I always had rails boxes by my house that I made and on some weekends random kids would come over and ask me if they could skate my park!!! haha so funny. I never guessed that I would start making stuff out of skateboards and so far its going great. I think finding spots and making spots skatable is part of being a skateboarder and its in our nature.

2. What is your latest skateboard cut out you have done? Is there a fresh idea you have come up with or a challenging task in the process of production?

My latest cut out of a skateboard would be The Yoyo’s. It’s doing good and I think people can connect with it because all of us had one sometime in our lives. I get some funny requests but I always try my best in making the client happy. New ideas always come when I am busy with another board and when I make a mistake. Friends and clients often post links to me on my facebook page or email. That helps a lot so thanks everybody!!

3. One of your fans wrote in and begged us to ask you if it’s possible to make a detailed 3D sculpture of your face out of old boards for him? Would that be possible?

I guess so. Any thing is possible but is he willing to pay me in dollars?? Some of the work is really time consuming and sometimes its not about if I can’t make it or not. Sometimes I run out of boards or I don’t have the right boards at the time. Its a work in progress I guess and I also prefer making more industrial design stuff and ”not arty stuff”. What’s the point in making stuff you can’t use??

4. Has your voice ever gone hoarse from screaming when you are struggling to land a trick?

Horseplaying is my game on a skateboard…bra! Its nice to get the bats out of the attic once in a blue moon. It help me sometimes to scream or laugh if I don’t get the tricks. You must watch’ ‘say no to anger” in our first streets road trip. Thats some PG 18 shit right there. haha

5. What can the viewer’s expect for your AV Close-up? Are there any tricks that you are particularly proud of? (Except for your last few tricks! Keep that a surprise)

I like grinds and tranny/ditches bitches, no flip in flip out shit leave that to the ledge monkeys. The Mary-Poppins took a lot out of me and the foot plant in durbs. I am a easy skater lately, I am getting older and the bones ain’t that young anymore.I tryed my best in this close-up but it has also been hard having two jobs and filming on my off days. Hope you guys like it.

Check out this really feel good posi video presented by Vans. Grosso sits down with the guys from the DIY Channel Street park in San Pedro where they talk about how they built their own park under the bridge.

Revolution at Festival Mall in Kempton Park will be having a clearance sale this coming weekend! From 5 April – 6 April we will be selling international exclusive samples. Shoes are going from R300 and shirts from R100. Shop Times: 1pm- 6pm on Friday and 9am – 3pm on Saturday. Make sure you get there early as these threads are gonna go quick.

The City of Gold Urban Art Festival 2013 will take place from the 7 – 13 April. The individual elements that make up the week long festival include an exhibition, large-scale mural projects, film-screenings and street art tours. Its all happening in Jozi so check out the site for more details on all the events over here.